Suspect in homeless man’s shooting gets murder charge

A 32-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting a homeless man earlier this month in Watsonville has been charged with murder, Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey S. Rosell announced Friday.

Luciano Acevedo Jr. was arrested in Salinas June 20 for the June 12 shooting death of Carlos Vasquez Martinez, prosecutors said.

Acevedo Jr. faces 82 years to life in prison if convicted of murder.

Officers found the victim at a homeless encampment behind 999 Main St. near Watsonville Slough suffering from a single gunshot wound, according to Watsonville police. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Acevedo was later taken into custody after detectives identified him as the suspect in the murder, police said.